Electron Microscopy Unit

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

• Fully automated FEI Tecnai T12 transmission electron microscope
• High-sensitivity 2k x 2k CCD camera for digital imaging and transfer of data across network directly to users’ laboratories.
• Automated electron tomography, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
• Immuno electron microscopy

Preparative Techniques for TEM

• Standard fixation, embedding and sectioning (Leica EM UC6 microtome)
• High-pressure fixation (BalTec HPM 010)
• Freeze-substitution (Leica EM AFS 1/2)
• Pre- and post-embedding immunolabeling, cryosectioning (Tokyuasu technique) (Leica Ultracut UCT/FCS cryomicrotome)
• Negative staining of macromolecular assemblies

Scanning Electron Microscopy

• Fully automated Hitachi S-4800 field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) provides tool for determining 3D surface morphology of cells and biomaterials
• Users can be trained to collect SEM images independently
• Sputter coater (Balzers) for specimen preparation
• Critical point dryer (EM Sciences)

Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM)

• Fully automated Zeiss Sigma/Gatan 3View Serial block face SEM provides 3D imaging of tissues (up to 300 microns across) at the nanoscale
• Visualization software for 3D rendering of biological structures
• Specialized specimen preparation techniques for SBF-SEM of tissues and isolated cells

Location of Electron Microscopy Unit

Building 13 on the NIH campus

Pricing

• Tecnai T12 TEM (BEPS staff operation) $150 per hour 
• Tecnai T12 TEM (client operation) $80 per hour
• Zeiss SIGMA/Gatan 3View SBF-SEM $100 per hour
• Hitachi S-4800 (client operation) $100 per hour 
• EM Sample Embedding $300 for 1-5 samples
• EM Sample Sectioning $80 per sample 
• EM Immunostaining $400 per set